Welcome to the workbook component of Sports Medicine in the Pediatric Office. We hope that this workbook and video will allow you to take better care of the hundreds of athletic children and teens who come into your office every year. The field of pediatric sports medicine has evolved greatly over the past 30 years, and it is growing quickly, along with the number of children and teens who are involved in recreational and com- petitive sports in the United States and around the world. For pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, and pediatric surgical specialists (collectively referred to as pediatricians from this point on), the demands of taking care of athletic patients have changed considerably. The “stay off it until it gets better” approach used to be the accepted formula for taking care of athletic children. Patients would come in with an injury, and often the advice was, “Just stay off it until it gets better.” As children and teens have become more active, the role of the pediatrician in the lives of athletic patients has changed, and that approach is no longer accepted by patients and families who are eager for safe return to play. Increasingly, patients and their families are looking for ways to reduce injury time, return to play, and prevent problems in the future. So, let’s talk about this workbook. This is not the be-all and end-all of sports medicine guides. Each topic addressed here is suitable for an entire book (and many such books already exist). The workbook and video provide a multimedia approach to basic sports medicine for the pediatric health care profes- sional, resident, or medical student. The workbook is designed to be used interactively with the video; the intent is for you to view the video clips as you read through the corresponding text sections within the book (look for the special “video clip” icons throughout the text). By having both written and video materials, you will be able to see and prac- tice specific examination techniques, see certain preventive strengthening exercises, and, ultimately, take better care of athletic patients. In our updated version of this book, we have also included specific sections on prevention and sport- specific chapters. Both are designed to teach pediat- ric health care professionals how to better care for specific athletes in their office and to offer current recommendations that pertain to each specific sport. Objectives The pediatric health care professional, resident, or medical student using this book will be able to ■■ Better care for athletic patients. ■■ Display a greater feeling of comfort in dealing with sports medicine issues. ■■ Better serve as a resource for athletic children and teens and for the sports community. Introduction Please view video clip: “Welcome to the Video Component of Sports Medicine in the Pediatric Office.”